E.L. responds to 'blighted' status

The East Lansing City Council's decision last month to designate the East Village area as blighted has caused a stir among property owners and residents. Owners of roughly 40 percent of the properties involved have come forward with requests to pull out of the designated area, city officials said. Council members maintain the move will help the city access funds to improve the area, by completely revamping the 35-acre spot into a business and residential district. Property owners are concerned that a blighted status will hurt businesses and drive away potential renters.

Researchers create compound to enhance anti-cancer meds

Researchers at MSU have created a compound that could make cancer medication more effective and possibly even cure the disease. "This could potentially mean big things," said Jezte Tepe, the chemistry professor who led the cancer research team.

MSU groups to rally against Proposal 2

It's been more than two months since the passage of Proposal 2, but Jon Hoadley, chairman for the MSU Stonewall Democrats, said the fight for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has only just begun. MSU students and representatives from several local and statewide LGBT and allied groups will hold a rally on Wednesday in opposition to the proposal. "Proposal 2 should be interpreted as narrowly as possible," said Hoadley, a social relations senior. Hoadley said the months of opposition to Proposal 2 have been "a difficult battle," but the MSU LGBT campus groups have been meeting regularly to discuss legislative ways to protect their rights. The rally will include speeches from families who are directly affected by the amendment and Rep.

International programs unaffected by tsunami

Despite destruction unleashed on the coasts of Southeast Asia, MSU students traveled to Bangkok, Thailand on Friday and more will leave for New Delhi, India on Tuesday.

Foul play

Have you seen that new film, "MSU Football Players Gone Wild?" Although it doesn't exist, given the pace at which players are getting into trouble with the law, it won't be long before Hollywood considers making it. Two freshmen wide receivers, Miles Williams, 18, and Hugh D'Imperio, 19, have been charged with unarmed robbery and assault with intent to rob while unarmed.

Police briefs 01/11/05

Thousands sign new petition to ban race, gender admissions preferences

In its first victory in a two-year effort to ban race and gender-based preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracts, The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative submitted a petition of more than 508,000 signatures to state election officials Thursday. MCRI began the petition effort in response to the U.S.

Digging out

The city of East Lansing helped clear a path for pedestrians when it handed out more than $4,000 in snow removal fines during the winter break. Residents who did not shovel snow from the sidewalks around their homes received an $85 ticket.

Break 'nothing good' for team

Tom Izzo has always wanted to be a football coach. He loves the sport. But now that the head coach has eight days off until his team faces Wisconsin - similar to the time between football games - he's wishing he could face the Big Ten rival sooner. "There's nothing like having a situation like this and having eight days (off)," Izzo said.

E.L. to teach children about snow, winter

The East Lansing Public Library will have a children's program from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

International math test shows U.S. students behind most of world

It's something people use daily. Some use it to budget their bank account and others use it to buy groceries.

Retribution will not right past wrongs

The three letters to the editor on 1/10 regarding the rapist article "Listed students: Stigmas result from public sex offense registry," (SN 12/9) all have valid points, but I think they missed the purpose of the article.

Democrats should not point fingers

If Chad Halsey wants to talk about partisan voting problems "Ohio election needs to be investigated" (SN 1/10), he need not point fingers without taking a deep look into his own party as well.

Vigil for deceased student affected by distractions

A vigil at the rock on Farm Lane for an MSU student who died in a car accident during winter break was not as peaceful as was hoped for, participants said. The vigil, held Sunday at 4 p.m.

Peace at last?

More than 200 years ago, a group of fresh-minded revolutionaries decided they didn't quite like the way they were being governed.

Pistons hurting due to loss of Mehmet Okur

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. For the Detroit Pistons, the darlings of the NBA just seven months ago, wins and the championship effort that was prevalent last season have been few and far between. Of all the things one could point to as causing a problem this year - the brawl, lack of effort, complacency, and so on and so forth, are all secondary to one thing. The loss of Mehmet Okur. It is beyond obvious that losing Memo and his multitude of abilities has hurt the World Champions in all aspects of the game. Now with the Utah Jazz, Okur has averaged 11.7 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Changing identities

Five brick and stone entrance signs into MSU's campus proclaim the familiar phrase: "The pioneer land- grant college." But the once all-agriculture school is no more, and MSU has transformed into a Big Ten institution with more than a dozen specialized colleges. MSU officials say the land-grant philosophy of affordability and outreach has endured through the university's many changes - including six different names and exponential enrollment growth during the post-World War II years.

Furniture in women's rest rooms inspires interest, exasperation

What happens inside a girl's bathroom, anyway? Besides the obvious, I mean. I ask this question not to shock you, dear readers.

Legislation brings Reagan statue

For Rep. Leon Drolet, R-Clinton Township, former president Ronald Reagan has important ties to Michigan. Drolet said Reagan's connections include accepting the republican nomination for president at the 1980 Republican National Convention held in Detroit and the Democratic and Republican supporters he had in Macomb County during his terms. "His popularity knew no party," Drolet said.

Study Abroad student left behind

A 20-member study abroad group that traveled to Peru returned on Saturday minus one student. MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said a female student remained behind when her study abroad group left Peru to return to Michigan late Friday night. "Our number one concern is the safety of the student," Denbow said.